After all state funding for public broadcasting in Florida was eliminated by Governor Rick Scott , stations are left struggling to make ends meet. Eric Deggans reports in the Tampa Bay Times that stations are looking for funding from usual and unusual sources. One station has done a scrap metal drive. That will be followed by a golf tournament. Others are looking for more underwriting and increasing the length of member drives. Some stations have eliminated services like reading services for the blind. Others are cutting back on local programming.
Florida public broadcasters search for solutions to their funding crisis - Tampa Bay Times
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Coconut Water and Image
Coconut Water: It's about the image.
The new "it" drink is Coconut Water. Wasn't pomegranate juice the big thing last year...or the year before.
NPR's Planet Money looks at the phenomena of coconut water. As one consumer says, "The only thing that really counts is image." "If people see me carrying around this coconut water with my yoga mat this will show that I like yoga and I'm really conscious and enlightened."
Studies about the benefits associated with coconut water suggest those benefits are overstated. Check out this article in the Huffington Post. Coconut Water Health Claims Not Supported, Study Says
For the consumer quoted above, it's more about the image. Carrying around the bottle of coconut water is an important accessory.
It's a lot like when I lived on the East Side of Milwaukee. The Sunday accessory that was at the coffee shop or the bookstore was the Sunday Edition of the New York Times. In fact, living on the East Side may have been an image thing.
A twelve pack of coconut water is running $24 on-line.
The story is a part of their series, "What's it been a good year for..."
NPR's Planet Money looks at the phenomena of coconut water. As one consumer says, "The only thing that really counts is image." "If people see me carrying around this coconut water with my yoga mat this will show that I like yoga and I'm really conscious and enlightened."
Studies about the benefits associated with coconut water suggest those benefits are overstated. Check out this article in the Huffington Post. Coconut Water Health Claims Not Supported, Study Says
For the consumer quoted above, it's more about the image. Carrying around the bottle of coconut water is an important accessory.
It's a lot like when I lived on the East Side of Milwaukee. The Sunday accessory that was at the coffee shop or the bookstore was the Sunday Edition of the New York Times. In fact, living on the East Side may have been an image thing.
A twelve pack of coconut water is running $24 on-line.
The story is a part of their series, "What's it been a good year for..."
Thursday, December 29, 2011
KET Teams with Public Radio
Kentucky Educational Television is teaming up with some of the state's public radio stations. The partnership will begin with WEKU in Richmond and WKMS in Murray. The radio stations will air "Kentucky Tonight". KET says more partnerships will follow.
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/29/2009568/ket-to-partner-with-public-radio.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/29/2009568/ket-to-partner-with-public-radio.html#storylink=cpy
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Ida B. Wells Honored
Civil rights activist Ida B. Wells will be honored with a sculpture in Chicago. The Ida B. Wells housing project was featured in the Ghetto Life 101 documentary on NPR. The documentary was distributed through Sound Portraits.
The Associated Press and ABC News are reporting Wells' name endures on a grade school and a professorship in the city. The monument aims to reflect the full legacy of a woman who was born into slavery in Mississippi and went on to become a well-respected crusader against injustice and outspoken anti-lynching activist. So far, the Wells Commemorative Art Committee has raised 10% of the funds needed to create the sculpture.
The Associated Press and ABC News are reporting Wells' name endures on a grade school and a professorship in the city. The monument aims to reflect the full legacy of a woman who was born into slavery in Mississippi and went on to become a well-respected crusader against injustice and outspoken anti-lynching activist. So far, the Wells Commemorative Art Committee has raised 10% of the funds needed to create the sculpture.
Monday, December 26, 2011
CPBN's Dean Orton Moves On UPDATE
He's Back. After a year at the American Boychoir school in Princeton, Dean Orton is back at CPBN.
Dean Orton, Senior Vice President Media Services and Chief Development Officer for Connecticut Public Broadcasting, takes a new position in Princeton next week. CPBN is the parent company for CPTV and WNPR. Orton will become President and Chief Executive Officer of The American Boychoir School and the Princeton Center for Arts and Education.
There's more information about his transition from public broadcasting to the Boychoir and the Arts and Education center at Patch.
In the interest of disclosure, Dean was my boss during my last two years at CPBN.
Dean Orton, Senior Vice President Media Services and Chief Development Officer for Connecticut Public Broadcasting, takes a new position in Princeton next week. CPBN is the parent company for CPTV and WNPR. Orton will become President and Chief Executive Officer of The American Boychoir School and the Princeton Center for Arts and Education.
There's more information about his transition from public broadcasting to the Boychoir and the Arts and Education center at Patch.
In the interest of disclosure, Dean was my boss during my last two years at CPBN.
NPR Story about glogg brings back memories.
Get Into The Holiday Spirit With Scandinavian Glogg
Every Christmas Eve was a time for the family to gather. It was also a time to recapture our Swedish heritage.
As kids, my sister and I learned to say grace in Swedish. Of course we had no idea what we were saying at the time. And the pronunciation must have been more than slightly off the mark. It must have been hilarious for the true Swedes in our family to hear how we butchered the language. At least I hope they were laughing.
We would feast on Lutefisk, boiled potatoes with white sauce, rutabagas and, Swedish meatballs. The family was evenly divided between those who would eat the gelatinous fish and those who would not. I did not join the fish feasters until we started baking the fish. In the early days the dried fish was soaked in lye and then boiled. The fish seemed to hold up much better after we started baking it. The sensation of gooey fish sliding down my throat was gone. If I put enough white sauce on it with some pepper, everything was fine.
We also had pickled herring, suelze, fruit soup, cheese, and krumkake. The only thing missing was glogg. It wasn't that that we didn't try. My father was in charge of the glogg. His attempts always came up short. I think he tried to improve the recipe before mastering it. I'm not even sure Dad followed a recipe. It was undrinkable. Maybe that was for the best since I was never sure of the chemical reactions created by the variety of ingredients.
It wasn't until a few years ago when a Norwegian neighbor brought over a bottle during or celebration that we discovered how it was supposed to actually taste. And now, because of this story on NPR's All Things Considered, the recipe is revealed. I'm sending it to my sister.
Thanks!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Revitalizing Middays at WBEZ
Robert Feder blogs in Time Out Chicago that WBEZ is revamping its midday lineup. Justin Kaufmann is being promoted to executive producer of midday programming at Chicago Public Media. Kaufmann says he has two goals.
1) To provide the audience with the best possible talk programming in the Chicago area, and 2) To beat the Packers."
Is Kaufmann going to personally take on the Packers? Or,will he get help from the midday staff?
As a Packer fan and an observer of many NFL seasons, Kaufmann (or the Bears) might need to draft a blue chip quarterback.
1) To provide the audience with the best possible talk programming in the Chicago area, and 2) To beat the Packers."
Is Kaufmann going to personally take on the Packers? Or,will he get help from the midday staff?
As a Packer fan and an observer of many NFL seasons, Kaufmann (or the Bears) might need to draft a blue chip quarterback.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A Dramatic Drop in Profits for News Media
An interesting chart from Poynter.Org that graphically shows dwindling profits for for publicly traded US news media companies. There was a dramatic downturn in 2008...the beginning of the recession.
Positioning for PBS
PBS' President sees an opportunity for growth in presenting documentaries and the arts. Paula Kerger's vision is that public television can offer more of what is being abandoned by commercial cable channels.
In an interview with The Salt Lake City Tribune she outlines her ideas for the future of public television.
Kerger says, "So, again, it’s another opportunity if we’re really interested in making sure our country’s stories are being told. I think we need to be there."
Public radio has been doing that by providing services long abandoned by commercial services including in-depth news, intelligent entertainment programming, classical music and other music services. So has public TV. Kerger wants to do more. The difference is that the public television network does not create its own content. The stations are the primary provider of content for PBS. NPR, PRI and APM provides content for member radio stations, most of public radio's most popular programs.
In an interview with The Salt Lake City Tribune she outlines her ideas for the future of public television.
Kerger says, "So, again, it’s another opportunity if we’re really interested in making sure our country’s stories are being told. I think we need to be there."
Public radio has been doing that by providing services long abandoned by commercial services including in-depth news, intelligent entertainment programming, classical music and other music services. So has public TV. Kerger wants to do more. The difference is that the public television network does not create its own content. The stations are the primary provider of content for PBS. NPR, PRI and APM provides content for member radio stations, most of public radio's most popular programs.
She's right. There is an opportunity. It will be interesting to see if the opportunity can be affordable and self-sustaining.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Putting On-line Numbers in Perspective
I was looking at the most emailed stories from NPR today. (You can find the list here.) It struck me that the numbers listed are quite small when compared to those who listen to these stories in their cars, at home or on-line. I'm not trying to diminish the importance of sharing the stories but, live broadcasts and streaming still generate a much larger audience.
According to research figures released by Ben Robins at NPR, In Spring 2011, we see that the total number of persons who tune in each week to an NPR member station holding at or near record-high levels. The weekly audience to NPR Stations* has reached a new high of 34 million listeners each week. (You can read more here.)
34 million represents radio listening. The figures remain steady. What's the point? Put on-line usage in perspective when you decide how to use your resources. The vast majority of your listeners still use the radio.
According to research figures released by Ben Robins at NPR, In Spring 2011, we see that the total number of persons who tune in each week to an NPR member station holding at or near record-high levels. The weekly audience to NPR Stations* has reached a new high of 34 million listeners each week. (You can read more here.)
34 million represents radio listening. The figures remain steady. What's the point? Put on-line usage in perspective when you decide how to use your resources. The vast majority of your listeners still use the radio.
*NPR stations are a mix of newsmagazine and music-only stations (which carry the NPR Newscasts).
Ben Robins is the Research Manager for NPR Programming.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
A Call to Shut Down MPTV?
An opinion piece in the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel calls for major changes in the way Milwaukee Public Television is funded. According to the piece by John A. Bernaden taxpayer support makes up 75% of the station's budget.
MPTV is run by Milwaukee Area Technical College. In a struggle over control of the station, MPTV disbanded their independent Friends organization.
Bernaden makes three suggestions for change. The first is to hire an independent nonprofit organization to manage the station. The second is to make an alliance with the other Technical College districts in Southeastern Wisconsin. The third would be to shut the service down.
What MATC and MPTV. is not that unusual. I come from the world of community licensees where we raised almost all of our own funds. What is unusual is that MPTV depends on 75% tax support.
John A. Bernaden might have an agenda of his own. He is former chairman of MPTV Friends Inc.
MPTV is run by Milwaukee Area Technical College. In a struggle over control of the station, MPTV disbanded their independent Friends organization.
Bernaden makes three suggestions for change. The first is to hire an independent nonprofit organization to manage the station. The second is to make an alliance with the other Technical College districts in Southeastern Wisconsin. The third would be to shut the service down.
What MATC and MPTV. is not that unusual. I come from the world of community licensees where we raised almost all of our own funds. What is unusual is that MPTV depends on 75% tax support.
John A. Bernaden might have an agenda of his own. He is former chairman of MPTV Friends Inc.
Friday, December 16, 2011
$4.6M journalism partnership launched.
Another partnership funded by the Knight Foundation aims to strengthen journalism in central Georgia and beyond. The partnership involves public broadcasting, a university and print media. Georgia Public Broadcasting, The Macon Telegraph and The Center for Collaborative Journalism at Mercer University. The partnership will involve 50 to 100 journalism students over the next five years. Funds rae coming from the Knight Foundation.
Read more: http://www.macon.com/2011/12/16/1826450/46m-journalism-partnership-launched.html#ixzz1gkTrz16u
Read more: http://www.macon.com/2011/12/16/1826450/46m-journalism-partnership-launched.html#ixzz1gkTrz16u
WESA Names Midday Host
WESA, Essential Public Media...formerly WDUQ...has a new midday host. Paul Guggenheimer will host "Essential Pittsburgh." "Essential Pittsburgh" will air Monday through Friday at noon. A start date has not been announced.
There's more information in PostGazette.com.
Guggenheimer is currently hosting "Dakota Midday" for South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Grant Aims to Help Public Radio in Digital World
NPR got a grant from the Knight Foundation to expand training initiatives to increase the use of digital tools in public radio newsrooms. The grant will be used to help about 70 stations better use digital and social media.
There's more information in this release from Radio World.
There's more information in this release from Radio World.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Polling the Negative
The Seattle Times wants to know who you find more annoying. I find it hard to respond to a negative question. I did vote to find out how much response there was. Plus, I wasn't sure Stuart McLean was in the same league with Garrison Keillor. The vote isn't that close. McLean is in the lead 58% to 42%. That's not good because it's a negative. Is this something like a reporter asking, "Governor, when did you stop beating your wife?"
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Platform Matters
I recently sent out a post about WOSU's decision to sell its AM signal. WOSU had recently transitioned its news audience to 89.7FM. The change was made possible after the station had purchased another FM signal and moved classical programming to that signal.
The transition to FM for the news programming was, unfortunately, 25 years late. The radio platform preferred by the Boomers (NPR's prime market segment) is FM radio.
I'm spending some time helping with the production of the Real Life Survival Guide. One of the goals of the program is to continue the conversation on-line. We were frustrated by the scant participation through the program's website. (Of course, there's that scary moment when we thought nobody cared.) Through the help of our web guy, Gary Choronzy, "the new RLSG / Facebook comment integration is now live. what this does is synchronize site comments with FB conversation threads. to see it in action, see Bruce's latest post:" http://reallifesurvivalguide.com/2011/12/09/whats-the-best-way-to-get-started-on-an-exercise-routine/
We're trying to increase awareness of the program and increase participation by utilizing Facebook...the platform used by most of our listeners.
The transition to FM for the news programming was, unfortunately, 25 years late. The radio platform preferred by the Boomers (NPR's prime market segment) is FM radio.
I'm spending some time helping with the production of the Real Life Survival Guide. One of the goals of the program is to continue the conversation on-line. We were frustrated by the scant participation through the program's website. (Of course, there's that scary moment when we thought nobody cared.) Through the help of our web guy, Gary Choronzy, "the new RLSG / Facebook comment integration is now live. what this does is synchronize site comments with FB conversation threads. to see it in action, see Bruce's latest post:" http://reallifesurvivalguide.com/2011/12/09/whats-the-best-way-to-get-started-on-an-exercise-routine/
We're trying to increase awareness of the program and increase participation by utilizing Facebook...the platform used by most of our listeners.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Garrison Keillor 'Rethinking' Retirement Plans | AllAccess.com
It has to be hard to leave this all behind. Stay tuned. There will be more before 2013.
What's your thinking on this?
Should he stay?
Will he be on the road more? Less?
What's APM's take?
Are still able to raise member dollars around APHC?
Before you jump that shark (take it off the air)...find out what your core audience thinks. Don't base your changes merely on your fund drive.
I've made some hasty decisions in the past. Two were additions to the schedule and one was a deletion from the schedule. All three led to decreases in the core audience (P1 listeners). In the core there were fewer occasions and shorter duration per occasion. The result was a decrease in listener sensitive income (A combination of member dollars and underwriting revenue). The decreases were overall...not just during those programs.
In each case we made changes. We added back the show I dropped. We made a big deal about it with a special event, letters to members and an OES (Optimum Effective Schedule) promotional run. We were pretty quiet about the two shows we dropped. We had calls and letters complaining about the changes but, we were prepared with bullet pointed talking points. In the end we increased our core audience and increased occasions and duration.
Should he stay?
Will he be on the road more? Less?
What's APM's take?
Are still able to raise member dollars around APHC?
Before you jump that shark (take it off the air)...find out what your core audience thinks. Don't base your changes merely on your fund drive.
I've made some hasty decisions in the past. Two were additions to the schedule and one was a deletion from the schedule. All three led to decreases in the core audience (P1 listeners). In the core there were fewer occasions and shorter duration per occasion. The result was a decrease in listener sensitive income (A combination of member dollars and underwriting revenue). The decreases were overall...not just during those programs.
In each case we made changes. We added back the show I dropped. We made a big deal about it with a special event, letters to members and an OES (Optimum Effective Schedule) promotional run. We were pretty quiet about the two shows we dropped. We had calls and letters complaining about the changes but, we were prepared with bullet pointed talking points. In the end we increased our core audience and increased occasions and duration.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
WOSU Moves Off AM Dial
A couple of inches in the Columbus Dispatch notes the end of WOSU broadcasting on the AM dial. 820 AM was sold to St Gabriel Radio. 820AM had been simulcasting WOSU's NPR News service with WOSU, 89.7 for about a year.
Public Radio's primary audience, Baby Boomers, moved to the FM dial in the 70's. The move to 89.7FM by WOSU may have been long overdue.
In fairness, the move was delayed by WOSU's long time members who loyally supported classical music. The change was made possible by the acquisition of WOSA. Classical music was moved to 101.1FM. That freed up 89.7FM to be used as an all news outlet.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
More Turnover at NPR News
According to a report by the Associated Press, Dick Meyer is leaving NPR news for the BBC.
Ellen Weiss left in January.
There's more in the Washington Post.
Ellen Weiss left in January.
There's more in the Washington Post.
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